eventssafetymoney

Stadium Safety and Cash: How to Carry Money at Big Events Like AFCON

ggreatdong

2026-03-11

10 min read

Practical money tips for AFCON fans: how much cash to carry, secure carry choices, ATM timing, and using cards where vendors prefer cash.

Don’t get stranded at kickoff: stadium money survival for AFCON fans in 2026

Arriving at a packed stadium only to find stalls are cash-only, ATMs are queued, and your card is declined is one of the most avoidable travel pains. For AFCON fans and anyone heading to large sporting events in Africa in 2026, the key is planning a simple, resilient money setup: the right mix of cash, secure carry, and payment backups.

Why this matters now (2026 trends)

Payment infrastructure across Africa has advanced fast since 2023. Mobile money and contactless adoption rose sharply in 2024–2025, and stadiums experimented with cashless kiosks and NFC wristbands in late 2025. But the rollout is uneven: while some host cities now accept cards and mobile wallets widely, many venue vendors — especially informal food and merchandise sellers — still prefer or require cash.

That means the smart AFCON fan combines a readiness for digital payment with practical cash strategies and anti-theft practices. This guide gives specific numbers, secure carry setups, ATM timing tips, and card-usage rules so you can enjoy the match without money stress.

How much cash should AFCON fans carry to a stadium?

There’s no one-size-fits-all number because costs vary by host country and your spending habits. Use these realistic ranges and a quick formula to set a safe amount.

Quick rules of thumb

Minimal match kit (snack, water, small merch): 5–25 USD equivalent.
Comfortable match (meal, drinks, jersey): 30–80 USD equivalent.
All-in day (transport, food, official merch, beer): 80–150+ USD equivalent.

Convert those USD ranges to the local currency before you travel. For most AFCON host cities, round up a bit to cover dynamic pricing and vendor change shortages.

Practical formula to decide your cash

Estimate per-person spending for the day (transport + food + merch).
Add a 25–40% buffer for queues, DCC, or higher on-site prices.
Keep the bulk in a hotel safe; bring only the day amount + emergency reserve out.

Example: If you expect to spend 40 USD in the stadium, take 40 USD worth of local currency on your person, plus a 20 USD hidden backup. Leave another 60–100 USD in your hotel safe.

Where to store that cash: secure carry options

Pickpocketing and snatch theft spikes in crowded stadium approaches. Your carry method should balance security, comfort, and access speed when buying a beer at halftime.

Top carry picks for AFCON (ranked)

Hidden money belt — slim, under-shirt pouch for passports and the emergency stash. Best for overnight stays and travel days.
Anti-theft crossbody bag — slash-resistant strap and lockable zips. Keep card in the inner zipped pocket and most cash in a folded bill clip.
Neck pouch / RFID-blocking neck wallet — fast access for small cash and a ticket. Keep only small change here.
Concealed pocket in clothing — a stitched-in pocket or zippered inner pocket is good for high-crowd squeezes.
Decoy wallet — carry a small amount of low bills/expired cards to hand over if pressured.

Always split your money: primary cash for purchases, a hidden emergency amount, and card(s) in a separate location. If one stash is stolen, you still have funds.

Stadium-friendly setup

Small neck pouch with 10–20 USD equivalent for immediate purchases.
Main card and a medium cash amount in an inside pocket or anti-theft bag.
Hidden belt stash (emergency 50–100 USD equivalent) and hotel safe for the rest.

ATM timing: when and where to withdraw cash

One of the biggest mistakes fans make is waiting until the venue to find cash. Here’s how to avoid long queues, empty machines, and surcharge traps.

Best timing strategy

Before matchday: Withdraw the bulk you’ll need for the day from a bank branch ATM earlier in the day — ideally at your hotel or a major bank.
Morning of the match: If you need more, do a late-morning withdrawal rather than at the stadium. ATMs near stadiums fill up fast on matchday and sometimes run out of cash.
After the match: Avoid ATMs in crowded departure zones — they are prime targets for thieves and skimming devices.

Where to use ATMs

Bank branch ATMs have lower chance of tampering and higher cash limits.
Airport ATMs are convenient but may charge higher fees; use if you’re short on time or need local notes on arrival.
Avoid stand-alone ATMs in poorly lit or isolated areas — these are the highest risk for skimming and theft.

Fee and security tips

Use cards with low foreign transaction fees or a travel account. Consider a no-fee ATM withdrawal card if you expect several cash outs.
Decline dynamic currency conversion (DCC) when offered — always choose the local currency to avoid poor exchange rates.
Cover the keypad when entering your PIN. Inspect the ATM for loose card slots or added devices.

Using cards and mobile payments at stadiums where infrastructure is limited

Card acceptance in stadiums varies widely. Even where POS terminals exist, connectivity outages or offline terminals can create complications. Mobile money and closed-loop stadium systems are increasingly common in 2026, but they’re not universal.

Card acceptance checklist

Check the host nation's card penetration (Visa/Mastercard/UnionPay) before travel.
Bring at least two different card networks (one Visa, one Mastercard or UnionPay) — if one network is down, the other might still work.
Enable contactless on your cards and add them to your mobile wallet (Apple Pay, Google Pay) — contactless often works offline for small purchases via tokenized transactions.

Mobile money and local wallets

In several African markets, mobile money (M-Pesa, MTN Mobile Money, Orange Money, etc.) handled many on-site transactions in 2024–2025 and grew into 2026. If you plan to use mobile money:

Install and verify a local mobile wallet before matchday. Some require local SIM verification or ID registration.
Have a small cash fallback — not every vendor accepts mobile money or the right network.

When a card is declined

If your card is suddenly declined at a vendor or POS:

Try a backup card or mobile wallet.
Move to a bank branch ATM if nearby — don’t stand in a crowded spot showing a declined card.
Call your card issuer if you suspect a block; use secure hotel Wi‑Fi to avoid spending mobile data on risky networks.

Pickpocketing and theft: stadium-specific safety

Crowds compress and distractions increase pickpocket risk. Follow these stadium-specific tactics.

On arrival and in crowds

Keep valuables against your body: front pockets, zipped inner pockets, or anti-theft bags.
Beware of “bump and grab” — if someone collides with you, check your valuables immediately.
Don’t flash large sums of cash or expensive tech near entryways and public transport hubs.

Halftime and food queues

Move with a companion while someone watches your pack, or keep your main stash in a concealed place.
Use a small waist wallet or neck pouch for quick purchases, not your main wallet.
Use contactless payment or mobile wallet for faster transactions where accepted — shorter exposure time to pickpockets.

If something’s stolen

Report immediately to stadium security and local police; get an incident number for insurance claims.
Contact your bank to freeze cards and use emergency replacement services if available.
Use a friend’s phone or stadium help desk to call your embassy if your passport is stolen.

Advanced strategies and tech-savvy tips (2026)

For fans who want to go a step further, use these 2026-era strategies to reduce fees and exposure.

Prepaid travel and multi-currency cards

Load a prepaid travel card with the approximate amount you expect to spend to protect against bank blocks and some fraud.
Multi-currency cards allow you to store money in several currencies at locked-in exchange rates — useful for tournaments with multiple host cities.

Local SIM + mobile wallet

Buying a local SIM often gives you access to mobile money top-ups and faster payment verification. It also makes receiving last-minute transfers from friends easier via mobile apps.

Bring a backup power bank and a low-cost ‘burner’ phone

If you rely on mobile wallets, a charged device is essential. A cheap backup phone with a local SIM and verified mobile wallet can be a lifesaver if your main phone dies or is lost.

Use merchant and stadium apps

Some stadiums launched apps in 2025 that show vendor acceptance, queue lengths, and in-app ordering (pick-up lockers). Download official apps beforehand and register an account.

Pre-match checklist for AFCON fans

Convert a reasonable amount of cash into local currency before travel or on arrival (use airport or bank ATMs early).
Bring two cards on different networks; enable contactless and mobile wallet tokens.
Pack an anti-theft crossbody and a hidden money belt; split cash across both.
Set ATM timing: bank branch ATM in the morning, not at the stadium during rush hour.
Register travel card numbers and your bank’s emergency hotline on paper (not on your phone only).
Know the stadium’s rules on cashless payments, bag size, and prohibited items.

Real-world example and quick case

From late 2024 through 2025, stadium pilots across Africa used NFC wristbands and offline EMV terminals during friendlies and test events. Fans who combined a small on-person cash supply with an NFC-enabled card or mobile wallet experienced shorter waits and fewer declined sales, while those who carried all cash sometimes overpaid or struggled finding change.

“A small contactless payment for a beer at halftime saved me 20 minutes in line — but I always kept a hidden 50 for emergencies.” — seasoned stadium traveler

Actionable takeaways — what to do right now

Before you travel: Add two cards to your mobile wallet, exchange or withdraw a day’s cash budget, and download the stadium app.
On matchday: Carry a small neck pouch for immediate purchases, keep main cash and cards in anti-theft gear, and never show large bills in crowds.
If you must use an ATM: Choose a bank branch, withdraw earlier in the day, and decline DCC.
After a loss/theft: Report to stadium security, freeze cards, and contact your embassy if necessary.

Final thoughts: planning beats panic

As AFCON evolves — including the move to a four-year cycle from 2028 announced by CAF in late 2025 — tournament logistics and payment solutions will keep changing. But the core principle stays the same in 2026: prepare a small cash buffer, split your funds, use secure carry methods like a money belt or anti-theft bag, and bring digital backups (cards and mobile wallets). With a little planning you’ll avoid the common stadium money pitfalls and focus on the game.

Ready for matchday? Use our downloadable stadium money checklist, print it, and tuck it next to your tickets so you’re set well before the stadium gates open.

Call to action

Heading to AFCON or another big event? Grab our free printable stadium money checklist and the recommended anti-theft carry gear list at greatdong.com/stadium-money — plan smart, travel safe, and enjoy the match.

greatdong

Contributor

Senior editor and content strategist. Writing about technology, design, and the future of digital media. Follow along for deep dives into the industry's moving parts.